Autism, Air Pollution and the Developing Fetus

On March 1st of this year, a new research study connecting autism and air pollution was published in Environmental Health Perspectives, a peer-reviewed journal published by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. The largest of its kind, this study shows a correlation between autism and prenatal exposure to air pollution. With autism in the United States rising at dramatic rates over the past two decades, this study undoubtedly shows that air pollution is a health emergency.

In the summer of 2010, my son Park had recently turned 2 and I noticed he was pulling at his ears. I suspected an ear infection, so I made an appointment to visit his pediatrician. It was his first visit in over a year and I looked forward to it despite the circumstances. We didn’t regularly visit the clinic because (fortunately) Park rarely ever got sick, a fact I’d been quite proud of. At the pediatrician’s, I observed her sitting on the floor in attempt at communicating with my son. She peered up at me with hesitancy and suggested I not delay to make an appointment with a specialist because she suspected autism. At that moment in time, I felt my heart drop to the floor. This was when I began, what can only be described as a mourning process for my son. Along with being the start of a challenging period in our lives, I am grateful. It is the reason I share this story and the ultimate reason behind my quest for clean air.

Utah has the highest rates of autism in the United States. Years before entering motherhood, I worked locally with children who suffered from developmental delays and disorders, many of which were on the Autism Spectrum Disorder. Without knowing much about autism, I remember learning that researchers and those in the medical field, knew little about it. They did know that most likely it wasn’t genetic and, according to the Center for Disease Control, it wasn’t caused by vaccines. However, I noticed that we cared for multiple children on the spectrum from the same families. If it wasn’t genetic, common sense told me it had to be caused by something shared in the children’s environment.

During the same time I worked with these beautiful children, I also learned of Utah’s crippling periods of poor air quality. It didn’t take long for me to put two and two together and form a belief that continues today. Despite my lack of expertise, it doesn’t take a genius to see the possible correlation. I knew then that the effects of breathing toxic air needed to be researched and our elected officials needed to address and legislate for the health of its citizens.

If memory serves me correct, I made a vow to try to avoid starting a family in Utah for fear of the effects our air would have on my babies. However, my love for this state and my fortune in finding my husband kept me here. Utah is where we began our family.

Following the initial shock we experienced from hearing the suggestion of our son having autism, we began a series of therapies. We immediately enrolled him in our state’s Early Intervention Program. I took a closer look at his diet and tested him for food allergies and intolerances, made changes in his food intake, worked diligently with his attention at home, and administered rounds of gentle heavy metal detoxes. While I cannot pinpoint exactly what change we made with Park that began to bring him back to us and normal development, I can tell you that it did happen…and that it was in a matter of a few short weeks. I remember the day he brought books over to me to read to him, something he hadn’t had the attention for in over a year’s time. I remember when he began to look at us once again when we spoke, something he refused to also do since he was only a year old. I remember how he became less fascinated with wheels turning and more fascinated with socializing with other kids. And I remember when he quit inflicting pain upon himself such as banging his little toddler head on our hardwood floors and hitting his face. We were incredibly fortunate.

As I tear up reliving the experience we had with our son Park, I can only hope that sharing this will give hope to the many and bring a stronger awareness to the deadly effects from air pollution. For the autistic children and their families whose healing wasn’t as quick as ours, this is especially for you. My heart will forever be reaching in your direction.

I am currently pregnant and following an especially toxic winter in the Salt Lake Valley, I feel especially vulnerable now more than ever for the health and well being of my babies. Air pollution is toxic and our children deserve every opportunity to live healthy, normal lives.